Coronation Street star Alan Halsall has split from wife Lucy-Jo Hudson after over a decade together.

The couple, who married in 2009 after meeting on the ITV soap, welcomed daughter Sienna Rae in 2013.

The sad news was confirmed by the couple in a statement released on Monday: "Lucy-Jo Hudson and Alan Halsall are sad to announce that they have separated.

"They have shared many wonderful years together and will remain close friends. They ask for privacy at this emotional time, to allow both to focus on their beautiful daughter Sienna-Rae, to ensure her continued happiness."

The couple have confirmed their separation in a statement (Image: MEN)

The couple got together while working on ITV's hit soap, where Lucy played Katy Harris and Alan, Tyrone Dobbs - they married seven years later.

While Katy left The Street in 2005 after three years on the long-running drama, Alan continues to be one of the cobbles' most famous faces as Tyrone the lovable mechanic.

Following the arrival of his daughter, the actor confessed that his priorities had changed: "I miss my little girl, Sienna-Rae, when I'm at work so, as soon as I finish a scene, I'm in the car as quick as I can because I want to be part of everything.

"Life couldn't get any better. Fatherhood is fantastic and it changes everything. Sienna-Rae comes first now."

The split will come as a shock to fans.

Only last month Alan re-tweeted his wife after she revealed her excitement about working on Doctors.

It read: "Loving working on BBCDoctors for the next few months. Great "dark" storyline. So good to be back at work x"

They have been quiet on social media of late, though both posted tributes to Tony Warren following the Corrie creator's death earlier this month.

Alan - who was one of the actors to carry the coffin at his funeral last week - wrote following the news of his death: "Deeply saddened to here about Tony Warren. Thank you will never be enough to A truly wonderful man who will be missed by us all itvcorrie."

Lucy-Jo also paid her own tribute, writing on Twitter: "Sad to be missing Mr Tony Warrens funeral today. Thinking of all the Corrie family. I hope it's a beautiful ceremony xxx"